How to Lose Weight by Managing Emotional Eating–Step Two
Posted on December 29, 2007Filed Under Weight Loss |
“An unexamined life isn’t worth living.”—Socrates, (469 BC - 399 BC)
As previously stated in my last two posts, emotional eating is an eating disorder that if left unchecked has serious health and emotional consequences. To lose weight successfully, one must address the food issue as well the emotional factor of eating.
Discover Emotional Eating
To address the emotional issue, self-discovery is in order. Do you know what’s troubling you? If so, great! If you don’t than it’s very important you find out. One way is to start journaling. When temptation strikes, write. Ask yourself what just happened that triggered this particular incident of emotional eating? Write down how you are feeling. Are you bored, angry or sad? Obviously, pay no attention to grammar or structure. Sometimes people eat because they don’t want to be alone with their thoughts when this is exactly what they need. Over time a pattern should emerge, helping you identify the problem area in your life that needs improvement. By then you should know the real differences between real hunger and the pseudo pull of emotional eating. Before reaching for that morsel of food, you’ll know if the hunger is real or emotional. Don’t worry if at first this doesn’t stop you from eating, but it’s a step in the right direction. “Know Thyself,” said Socrates. You DO need to know yourself before you can change and begin losing weight.
Eating Disorder Help
Depending on your situation and your support structure, if you suffer from depression consider seeking professional help. I would also recommend a visit to your medical physician first to rule out an underlying medical condition. Once you have a clean bill of health, counseling and/or some form of anti-depressants should help. This is your life and as far as I know, it’s the only one we have. Don’t let your it slip through your fingers. There’s always Overeater’s Anonymous and it’s FREE! The twelve step program includes receiving a personal sponsor who’s been in your shoes before and people are currently facing the same problem. It’s worth checking out.
Instead of eating, find another form of therapy or a healthy outlet such as phoning a friend, gardening, taking a short walk, reading a book, surfing the web, or getting/giving a hug, etc. What’s important is that you find something that you like to do, then do it. Needless to say, the healthiest outlet is exercise. Our bodies are made to move. Studies show that even moderate exercise releases endorphins and has many positive physiological effects.
Managing Emotional Eating
In conclusion, the goal is to fix the personal core issue that is stopping you from having the life you deserve, weight management will follow naturally. We cannot divorce our minds from our bodies. If we are unhappy, our bodies suffer too. A wise teacher once told me, “If you’re unhappy, your body will find a way out.” He’s is so right. You owe it to yourself to examine your life and see what is making you unhappy. Ask yourself what needs to change. If you were on your deathbed, what regrets would you have? Now work backwards and live the life you want. It’ll take courage to hear your inner voice and heed the answer that comes forth. Remember everything in life requires effort. Again, change is GRADUAL. Don’t expect to change your situation overnight and lose weight fast. However, taking these steps to improve your quality of life will certainly give you a boost of self-esteem and give you the courage to carry on until your attain your weight loss goals. Best wishes for success!
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6 Responses to “How to Lose Weight by Managing Emotional Eating–Step Two”
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I definitely know where you’re coming from on this.
I lost 50 pounds two years ago, and managed to gain 40 pounds this past year.
One kind of depression takes weight off, another kind puts weight on. I haven’t figured out how to properly balance it yet, though.
Dear Tommy,
Thank you for your comment.
It’s a bummer to gain back weight. I bounced up and down with my weight several times over the years. If you’re interested, check out my new post on growing up as a child of an emotional eater.
I think the key to balancing the weight issue is curing the depression (unless it’s medical) by creating a life that balanced and fulfilling. I wish you the best of health.
your story is similar to m own except im still struggling ive read this through and still am not surewhat you did to lose the weight besides gain control of your depression can you let me know?
thanks
I guess I fall into the emotional eating category. I have no problem exercising, love to do it, but I tend to overeat…especially when I am alone. I hate the way I feel afterwards, but while I am eating it tastes good! I have been trying to stay away from the wrong kinds of foods, but sometimes my willpower isn’t the greatest! (My biggest problems occur with cereal and ice cream) What do I do?
Dear Candice,
Thanks for this comment too! Many of us fall into the emotional eating category.
You mention that you eat when you’re alone, possibly out of boredom or lonliness. Something in your life is not working and you’ll need to discover what it is in order to fix it. However, in the meantime, to avoid overeating, find something to distract yourself ie calling a friend, cleaning or reading a book.
Please read all of my posts on emotional eating for additional tips and info.
You have the power to heal yourself!
I am very much obessed, my weight is about 107 Kgs, kindly give me some tips how can i burn extra fat ??? help ! help ! help !